While the Asian Development Tour (ADT) stays in Morocco this week for the second of two Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events, the players will face a vastly different challenge at Al Maaden Golf Resort.

Having battled for four days at the desert-themed Samanah Golf Club, they will have to adapt to a Moroccan garden-styled layout at Al Maaden just 20 kilometres away. Both courses are set against one of the most spectacular backdrops in world golf – the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains.

Nicolas Barraud, General Manager of Al Maaden, noted that the Kyle Philips-designed layout is a “fun and unique golf course to play.”

“The fairways are wide, making it accessible for all levels, but it still offers a good challenge for experienced players. Kyle Phillips brought his signature style while blending it with a Moroccan identity. You really feel that mix throughout the course,” said Barraud.

“While the fairways are generous, water plays a big role on several holes, making shot placement crucial. Some fairway bunkers can be especially tricky and force you to think carefully about your landing zones,” he elaborated.

There will be a lot to play for this week as the players vie to finish among the top two in a special money list for the back-to-back Moroccan ADT events, and earn starts in the following week’s US$2 million International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in the capital city of Rabat. With Al Maaden’s 18th hole set up to provide a grandstand finish with its risk-for-reward design, fans can expect a fair amount of thrills and spills at the par-five closer.

Barraud explained: “Many players try to reach the green in two by cutting across the water, but it’s riskier than it looks. The large central bunker, designed as a tribute to the Saadian Tombs, makes this hole both a strategic and aesthetic highlight.”

In between shots, players will be able to enjoy artistic respite in 12 contemporary sculptures. “The most striking feature here is the presence of contemporary art in 12 monumental sculptures, created by artists specifically for the course. This is a reflection of the art-loving spirit of the family behind Al Maaden, who also founded the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden in Marrakech,” Barraud revealed.

Another unique element of the Al Maaden course is the rectangular shape of its water hazards, inspired by the iconic pool of the Menara Gardens in Marrakech.

“Together, the art, water and landscape create a golfing experience that’s both visually captivating and architecturally thoughtful,” Barraud concluded.

The desert-themed Samanah Golf Club, venue of the first event in the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech.

If the first Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech event at Samanah is anything to go by, fans will be in for another thrilling week of golf. Samanah’s Nicklaus Design course held up well against the onslaught of the ADT talents and a large Moroccan contingent, while rewarding good play. Bearing testament to the layout’s championship pedigree, the cream eventually rose to the top and Filipino Aidric Chan’s impressive 18-under-par total made him a worthy winner indeed.

Samanah’s General Manager, Adyl Sayagh, noted that strategic play – as demonstrated to near-perfection by Chan – is the key to low scores.

“While the fairways may appear generous off the tee, precise shot placement is essential to navigate the strategically-placed bunkers and find the well-protected greens. With subtle elevation changes and large undulating greens, players need to think their way around the course rather than rely on power alone,” said Sayagh.

Sayagh emphasized that the Samanah course strikes a subtle balance between the site’s natural beauty and architectural precision. “The desert-style landscaping, uninterrupted views of the mountains, and immaculate conditioning all year round create an exceptional experience,” he stressed.

Several holes at Samanah stand out, including the last two which had a huge impact on the outcome of the tournament. Under pressure from the chasing pack, Chan had to make two gutsy pars to seal the win.

“Hole 17 is a beautifully-framed par-three with water guarding the front, and requires pinpoint accuracy especially when the wind is up. The final hole is a dramatic par-four offering a true risk-reward scenario. With the clubhouse in view and water in play, it’s a thrilling end to the round and often decides the match,” Sayagh pointed out.

Marking the ADT’s first-ever stop in the African continent, the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech double-header is jointly sanctioned by the Arab Golf Federation and staged in collaboration with the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association and the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation.

Main picture: View of the Moroccan garden-styled Al Maaden Golf Club, venue of the second event in the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech.